Photo stitching software Stitcher Unlimited : Realviz, a leader in image processing software development, is pleased to announce the availability of version 5.6 of their award-winning software, Stitcher Unlimited. Now firmly established as one of the most powerful and widely recognized image stitching applications on the market, Stitcher enables the creation of high-quality panoramas and 360° virtual tours. Version 5.6, which is available from this week, introduces Mac Universal compatibility, as well as HDR capabilities. A Japanese-language version is also scheduled for release later this spring, in addition to the existing English and French versions of the photo stitching software.

Realviz image assembling software
Realviz Stitcher is a photo stitching and image assembling software for the creation of professional-level panoramas and 360° virtual tours. Starting from digital images, the software’s powerful central automatic stitching engine enables a diverse range of users to create high-quality panoramas and virtual tours. Realviz Stitcher has many potential uses, including the production of large-format prints, matte paintings, reflection maps and textures for film/television, as well as dynamic virtual tours for the real estate and tourism industries.

Realviz photo stitching software
Realviz Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 now has full HDR compatibility for the very first time, enabling users to load, stitch, and save HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. With HDR imaging, users are able to create projects, which combine under- and over-exposed areas in the same harmonious panorama. A perfect synergy with the external tools available on the market for image tone mapping, such as Adobe Photoshop, Photomatix or HDR Shop, is ensured through compatibility with the most commonly used HDR image file formats: OpenEXR (.exr, 16 or 32 bits per channel), and Radiance RGBE (.hdr). The enhanced core engine of Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 makes all image processing operations available for images with 32 bits per channel. HDR panoramas produced with Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 can be used as a lighting environment map for 3D studios to obtain ultra-realistic 3D scenes, and to ensure consistent lighting of virtual objects placed in real environments.

Realviz Stitcher Unlimited 5.6
“We’re pushing the envelope once again to bring our users the very latest tools to maximize their creativity and productivity,” said Dominique Pouliquen, Realviz CEO. “Panoramic photographers, virtual tour creators, graphic artists, CAD designers, architects and VFX professionals will all benefit from this latest addition to Stitcher Unlimited. We’re also delighted to be porting Stitcher to the new Mac Intel for the first time. This has been a major factor for us in our bid to meet the needs of our loyal Mac user base. With HDR fast becoming ever more popular amongst the digital content creation community, the timing of this release could not be better!”

Realviz HDR imaging studio
Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 will also be available as part of the Realviz HDR Imaging Studio, which combines Stitcher, VTour 1.2 HDR and Photomatix Pro. Realviz VTour 1.2 HDR will be the only software available today for the creation of 3D HDR scenes starting from digital snapshots and panoramas. For the first time ever, users will be able to add depth information to their environment maps to dynamically light their 3D models. The Realviz HDR Imaging Studio will be available for PC from late May 2007.

About Realviz
Realviz is a leading developer of image based creation software headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, with satellite sales offices in Los Angeles, London and Paris. Realviz develops a suite of image-based content creation solutions for the film, broadcast, gaming, digital imaging, architecture and Internet communities. Derived from years of research efforts at the renowned INRIA Lab in France, the Company’s applications enable 2D and 3D artists to easily and cost-effectively tackle complex digital imaging projects. Realviz’ award-winning products are used by thousands of professional photographers, as well as leading production and effects houses, web design, game development and architectural companies worldwide, including Boeing, Daimler Chrysler, The Orphanage, Inc, Cinesite, Framestore CFC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Brothers Animation, Electronic Arts, Duran Duboi and many others.